Major League Gaming Kicks-Off Pro Circuit Season in Dallas April 1-3

NEW YORK - Top pros, aspiring amateurs, and thousands of video game fans are set to convene in Dallas as the 2011 Major League Gaming (MLG) Pro Circuit debuts this weekend – April 1-3 – at the Dallas Convention Center. More than 1000 competitors will vie for more than $120,000 in prizes and stipends playing some of the most popular video games of all time including the record-setting Call of Duty: Black Ops on PlayStation 3, Blizzard Entertainment's blockbuster real-time strategy game, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty on PC, and Halo: Reach on Xbox 360. Fans can purchase spectator passes online or on-site at the Dallas Convention Center.

The Dallas competition is the first of a challenging, six-city US Pro Circuit tour that will place the most talented players alongside their toughest opponents. More than $1 million will be awarded throughout the year making this the largest MLG season to date.

The Players and Games

Halo: Reach on Xbox 360 More than 180 Halo: Reach teams will compete during the three-day, double-elimination tournament. 2010 National Champions and league superstars Final Boss, one of the best Halo teams in the world and one of the biggest success stories of the MLG Pro Circuit, will be back to defend their title. Also competing in the season opener are Ogre 2, the Halo player with the most wins in MLG history, alongside his teammates iGotUrPistola, Victory X and FearItSelf, as well as the Chicago-based team, Instinct led by 20 year-old twins Lunchbox and Roy, along with Tsquared and Totz.

Other Halo: Reach players in the top 16 to look out for include Amish Acorns, Adrenaline, Swift Kill, and Calm and notable teams Darkest Hour, Power and Carbon.

StarCraft II on PC More than 200 players are expected to compete in StarCraft II, including Idra from Team: Evil Geniuses who placed first at the MLG Pro Circuit event last year in Washington DC. Idra recently returned from Korea in order to participate in US tournaments. Other notable players include Texas resident Tyler from Team Liquid who lives in San Antonio and his teammates Ret and TLO.

Call of Duty: Black Ops on PlayStation 3 The record-setting, blockbuster title Call of Duty: Black Ops, is the newest addition to the Pro Circuit. Top players including Hastro, Moho and BigTymer will compete on PlayStation 3 in a variety of fan favorite maps such as Havana and Summit. The highlight of the Call of Duty: Black Ops competition will be events surrounding the gameplay modes Capture the Flag, Domination and Search and Destroy.

The Experience Players and spectators in Dallas will be the first to experience an all new Pro Circuit set up including three giant main stages and hundreds of gaming stations. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit an array of booths featuring meet and greets with the Pros, the latest products from MLG partners, pre-release access to games and more. Booth highlights include:

Sony Ericsson, official mobile handset of MLG: Be one of the first to try out the soon to be released Xperia PLAY and enter to win one of your own.

Dr Pepper, official soft drink of MLG: Play-a-Pro sessions, signings, Text-to-Win promotions with an array of prizing, and a chance to meet the new Dr Pepper Girls.

BIC Flex4 Razors, official razor of MLG: Play Halo: Reach in the BIC Flex4 Live FFA (free-for-all or individual) competition. One winner will be flown to the National Championships to compete for $4,000. Plus, participate in a text-2-win promotion for a chance to win cool gaming gear like an Astro A40 Audio System.

PlayStation, official partner of MLG: Get early access to SOCOM 4 at the PlayStation Compound before it hits store shelves. Players can experience the game with PlayStation Move in the Sharp Shooter Alley, taking gaming to the next level with stereoscopic 3D and compete online with friends for amazing prizes. A limited supply of SOCOM 4 Beta codes will be available so get there early.

Stride, official gum of MLG: Participate in unique challenges throughout the weekend and receive Pro Player autographs.

Alienware, the official desktop of MLG: Experience the most powerful desktops available at Alienware gaming stations throughout the venue.

ASTRO, official headset of MLG: Try out the latest headsets - the A40 2011 Edition and A30.

Warheads: Sample the latest candy and more.

Other partners to be featured at the event include: NOS, the official energy drink of MLG and HOT POCKETS brand.

Live Streaming at majorleaguegaming.com Those that can't make it in person can watch in real-time all weekend in standard or high-definition at www.majorleaguegaming.com. Three live streams will be dedicated to the three featured games and a fourth live stream will offer commentary, interviews and highlights.

Coming Up Dallas is just the beginning. The Pro Circuit continues on to Columbus, Ohio, June 3-5 at the Columbus Convention Center. Online registration begins May 3 at 7:00pm ET.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING Founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) is the dominant media property exclusively targeting the approximately 40 million consumers in North America who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity. The company exclusively represents the best professional gamers and gives millions of aspiring gamers around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through our thriving online competitive community and live Pro Circuit competitions. For more information: www.majorleaguegaming.com.

ABOUT BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft and the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes thirteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.